372XP...Dream Machine???

[ricksvar]

I've been looking to purchase a larger saw,70cc range.
Looked at the MS440,liked and made a offer of $600.00 OTD,which was declined with "can't do".I also looked at a MS460,made a offer of $700.00 OTD,this offer was also decline with a "can't do that" from another Stihl dealer.I understand their position.

I decided to visit a Husqvarna dealer and took a look at the 372XP.Needless to say I was impressed with the weight and balance of this machine(20" bar).I also took into consideration several of the treads here related to the saws performance(thank you).This dealer came down to $620.00 plus tax,which I declined.

If possible and within reason my money goes to local merchants.
My new saw is a internet purchase,a 372XP with delivery to my front door,total costs $549.00.

Dream machine,I doubt it.Best saw for the money?In my opinion,yes!

Any suggestions as for as do's and dont's,not covered by the book,during breakin would be appreciated.

Thanks again,
Rick

 

[bwalker]

I can buy 044's 24' all day long for $600 from my dealer. The 372 is still about 50 bucks cheaper when bought online, but I prefer dealing with a dealer

 

[rahtreelimbs]

If I had to start over, the 372xp would be my choice!

 

[tree_reaper]

I purchased my new 372 a few days ago for $589 + tax from a local dealer. He started it , fine tuned it & showed me all the features. Also sold me an extra chain (.058) for $10. Another thing to consider is the outstanding 2 year warranty on the Husky. I believe the pro model Stihls have a 90 day warranty.

 

[Stumper]

I usually try not to run a new saw too hard for the first few tanks of fuel. I don't mean never running at full throttle, but I don't run the saw when dull (not even a little) and don't force it in the cut, try to avoid bar burying cuts. I am a little more deliberate in my cutting rather than slashing everything in reach at full throttle.
The biggest non-instruction manual advice I would give is to run 32-1 oil ratio not just at break in but for the life of the saw.

 

[Tony Snyder]

Don't throw away the box, you may need it to send the unit back to internet land for service.

You are just the kind I like to have come in the shop wanting service, makes my day.

 

[ricksvar]

Don't worry Tony,I'll never make your day.You're the "kind" I like to avoid.

Stumper,I like your point of avoiding full load during breakin.I'am also going to use a 32:1 fuel mixture for a few tanks(as you suggested),currently I use 50:1.Fish has made several references related to using 32:1 mix,after reading about Stihl bearing failures I'am giving serious thought to changing permanently.

Rick

 

[Newfie]

"You are just the kind I like to have come in the shop wanting service, makes my day."

Tony,

Maybe you should just sell saws and not bother servicing if it irks you so much. What do you do for a guy that is new in town or bought from a different dealer. Do your service clients have to fill out a questionaire before you decide if you want to give them the time of day?

I can understand it being troubling to lose sales to the internet, but you kill a potential future sale every time you wait on a customer even with your distaste disguised. My shop always gladly serviced my stuff even before I bought any saws from him. I bought my first Husky from the internet. My saw guy was great about getting the warranty work done quickly for me when it burned up. I have since bought a 346, 3120 and a 372 in the last 16 months. I bought them from him because he provides me with no BS service even though I could have bought the saws cheaper on the net. On the 372 he even met me half way on the price. If he had not been prompt and friendly I probably would have looked for a differnt guy to service my stuff and bought the saws elsewhere. A dealer/customer relationship is give and take. You seem to be interested in the taking of their money. good service for everyone goes along way towards building customer loyalty.

Not trying to offend or start a sh!tstorm. But I think there are two valid sides to this argument. I try to keep my money local, but I won't be sh!t on or gouged for trying to do that.

 

[dbabcock]

My local Husky dealer has no problem with where the saw was bought either. I brought my dad's 350 in (bought in Florida) and they worked on the carb under warranty. No questions asked.

You should have seen the looks on their faces when I brought the piped 3120 KD in to have them look at the choke linkage.I had done a deal for that saw with them about a year earlier (they know nothing about hotsaws). They almost sh!t themselves!

 

[Tony Snyder]

I was not referring to saws bought out of town at other servicing dealers, or even at the competition's down the street.

I was strictly refering to internet sales where the guy shopped for bottom dollar and then figured on bringing it to the good ol local dealer for help. I got enough local work that I don't need this kinda guy. Just my humble opinion.

I just have the problem with the internet seller who cuts the prices and just shuffles boxes, doesn't have put up with the day to day service problems, doesn't have a lot of the overhead, etc. He undermines the backbone of local servicing dealers.

I hope that if the lawsuit accident happens, it happens to him.

 

[Newfie]

"I just have the problem with the internet seller who cuts the prices and just shuffles boxes, doesn't have put up with the day to day service problems, doesn't have a lot of the overhead, etc. He undermines the backbone of local servicing dealers."


You're right, they don't have to deal with service issues like a local dealer, but without the service element of your business, can a small dealer pay the bills?

They certainly have overhead, a lot more than you would ever dream of. That gets offset by volume. High volume saw sales means lower manufacturers prices for them which they can then pass along to the consumer. It's about volume, not overhead.

How do you tell where a saw is bought? Back to the questionaire? I'm not looking to criticize but offer a different view of the picture. Just because someone bought a saw online doesn't mean he won't buy one from a local dealer. Maybe they didn't know about your business at the time, maybe they didn't know any better. Treating them differently than people who bought from you is going to affect their perception of you and make them less likely to do big ticket business.

Be pissed off at big competitiors if you want but don't take it out on your clientel. I have never heard of a dealer who couldn't stand to sell a few more saws or build another good customer relationship. Your business needs them, they don't necessarily need you. When economic times are slow it always good to be able to fall back on more customers than less.

Merry Christmas

 

[ricksvar]

Well Tony I have a question,I also realize you don't have to answer.

Are dealers required(by contract/agreement)to service only the new saws sold at their location or are they asked/required to honor warranty work no matter where a new saw was purchased?

Rick

 

[Tony Snyder]

I conceed for now, I'm out numbered, but may rise to fight again. Like ole Sam Houston, "I'll fight again when the moment is mine".

I don't think I have ever had an internet buyer walk in anyway. They probably work on their own and come to Arboistsite to find out how to get it back together.


Happy Holidays

 

[ricksvar]

Tony,I do respect your opinion,just don't agree.
Thanks for the replys and best wishes,

Rick

 

[sawracr]

Tony, I work at a small shop, and understand your point. Warranty work does not pay very well but is getting better because of internet sales and dept. store sales. What some people don't understand is that when they buy from a dealer, they are also buying prompt service. Warranties are handled two ways at our shop, one if you buy from us and the saw is set up by us ( correctly) it gets front line service, the second way ,for internet buyers,is a bit slower, and you know if it was not set correctly, WARRANTY VOID! So don't get up set it all pays. Jon

 

[ricksvar]

OK Jon,your comment goes in my "WORTHLESS DEALERS" file

 

[daveb]

Jon, I can't believe your shop would treat their customers in such a way. How do you know that after treating them right, they will buy their next saw from you or at least their chains and oil. If you treat them like ????, how do you expect their non warranty work to come to you. I'm sorry, but if a saw bought elsewhere means"warranty void" at your shop, that's just wrong. I haven't bought any new saws except from my local shop, but elux has told them that if they don't stock the full husky line, including $10,000 commercial mowers, they no longer want them for a dealer. The Stihls they sell(?), just collect dust on the shelves. The shop closed down after many years of satisfied customers. Now where do I get my saws? All the other local dealers suck, they want list price for everything. I bought a bar a one of the other guys, he raped me on it, but it was for someone else so I took it. $32.95 for a Husky small pattern laminated bar .325/.050/66dl-16 in. If this price is in line, then I apologize.I now get most of my cutting attachments and acc. online. Sorry if this is a little long. BTW the 372XP is the best saw I've owned yet!

 

[fun_chopper]

Originally posted by daveb
my local shop, but elux has told them that if they don't stock the full husky line, including $10,000 commercial mowers, they no longer want them for a dealer.

Thats interesting that you say that, my favorite dealer here stopped selling Husky because they made thoes demands also, now he is a Sihl only dealer,

I agree the 372 is the best! Who did you go thru rick? I got mine from Alamia.

 

[ricksvar]

fun_chopper,
I ordered mine from Southwest Fastener.

Rick

 

[stihltech]

set up

I think the comment was if the saw was not set up right.
We still start and adjust all saws before they leave the shop. I f a customer buys an internet saw, adjusts too lean, lean seizes it, are we still obligated to warranty it?